Hello everyone! After many months of wrestling with the pros and cons of writing this post, I have decided to detail (and update) the various aspects of the upcoming MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. Now there are hundreds, and I do mean hundreds, of guides, websites, and resources on this subject. In fact, I bet you searched Google and saw this fact for yourself. However, what I hope to carry out is to offer you (my readers) with a comprehensive guide of all the information. After contemplation, I decided to break this guide into a few sections. This makes it easier for you and easier for me. Feel free to comment and let me know what needs to be updated or added. It will go along way to keeping this a reliable source of information. Continue Reading

Google is known for its smart and creative holiday graphics, or as many call them “doodle.” This past Father’s day, yesterday, Google’s doodle was a simple design with a tie instead of the letter “l”. (shown on the left). However, as the article “Google Offends Sons and Daughters with Father’s Day Doodle” from Maximum PC, shows that people have apparently been offended by the doodle.

The article largely states a position by the International Business Timesstated that the doodle was a “failure”. They saw no offense in the doodle itself, but rather the plug for Google Voice. As the mouse-over reads, shown on the right, “Dad. Father. Pops. No matter what you call him, call your dad from Gmail.” IBT cited this as offensive because it “shamelessly hawking Google Voice… If Google now wants to exploit holidays for financial gain, it can expect to lose coolness points in the eyes of the public.” There are two interesting facts about this comment by IBT that shows a large disconnect between their knowledge of the holiday and of Google’s services. First point, Google Voice is a free service. It costs users nothing to call there dad’s on Father’s Day, and Google is really only providing a link. Showcasing Google’s mastery of the non-invasive advertising. Second point, Father’s Day was created not for honoring your father, but to sell merchandise that you buy for your dad.

So a very short recap on IBT’s so-called “failure” announcement. IBT accused Google of advertising, for financial gain, a free service on their own website that they offer. And second, the point of Father’s Day (and most holidays for that matter in the 21st century) are for the sell of merchandise. Therefore, accusing a company of using a holiday for financial gain is similar to saying Macy exploits Thanksgiving with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (hmmm shocker?).

Now on to the comments that Maximum PC reports about the criticism towards the doodle’s. These complaints are well, childish at best. This is the snipped from the article:

“Is there a way to get rid of this reminder to call a relative who, to me, doesn’t exist beyond the basic biological level?,” one user complained. “I very recently lost my dad and while I understand the sentiment, having that ‘reminder’ there is incredibly mocking,” wrote another.

IBT argues that since Google is the most popular website in the U.S., it must be sensitive to as many people as possible. That’s true, but what’s your take on the Father’s Day doodle? Did Google do anything wrong, or are people overreacting?

I see an epic blockbuster trailer announcer saying, “In a world where political correctness and nazy pansies run rampant.” Okay, besides the comedy on to my point. As IBT stated, Google should be more “sensitive to as many people as possible.” I understand this statement, Google should appeal to the masses on sensitive issues and guarder restraint towards that sensitivity. The lacking point here, again from IBT, is that the majority of people celebrate Father’s Day, and did not find the Google Voice advertisement offensive. After all Google is a company out to make a profit.

As for the comments that the doodle was offensive because it reminded them that they had lost a father, or reminded them that their real father was less than dirt (so to speak). Is the internet ruled by an aristocracy in which the sensitivity of the few, merit changing everything? I think no. To end this I leave with a comment left on Maximum PC by “jorleans”, which sums up my feelings on the matter.

You recently lost your father? It’s a personal tragedy. I’ve lost family members and I feel for you. But don’t expect a National Day of Mourning. You had to know Father’s Day was coming and that people would be taking their fathers to brunch or corporations were going to advertise their products as a great Father’s Day gift. For the vast number of people out there who still have living fathers, Google simply provided a link so that one could call from his or her computer. Trust me, they did not do it just to insult you.